“Through directed research and thoughtful session planning, students can play a significant role in their teachers' professional development.”
Via Dean J. Fusto

Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

Students help improve learning. Now there's a headline worthy of shouting out. Encouraging more student participation in the structures and processes of schools is the way to improve ownership, engagement and learning for all concerned.

“While lesson planning this summer, educators might also take time to reflect on their core beliefs about learning and teaching.”

Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

I have recently had to redraft my educational philosophy. It is a document that I revisit on a regular basis as I learn more about myself and about teaching and learning. This article gives some starting points that may align to your philosophy on education.

“The girl I tutor seems more like a busy business executive than a child. But her gruelling schedule of work and extracurricular activities is taking its toll I received a phone call from one of my tutees, Elizabeth, at 10pm one night last week.”

Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

Aside from the discussion of the validity of homework, it seems that many students are simply far too busy to enjoy being kids. We need to address this as schools and as communities. Children need to play, the creative and unfocused time that is allowed during free time is necessary for creativity, imagination and mental health. It is vital that children's time is not so carefully managed that they do not have this important time for themselves.

“ A lot of evidence has pointed to the significant positive impact of feedback on student learning and performance over the last 10 years. Many schools have placed great emphasis on tackling how teac...”
Via Adrian Bertolini

Woop is a scientific strategy that people can use to find and fulfill their wishes and change their habits. It is also known as Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII). Its about rethinking positive thinking.

Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

This book is going on my mindset booklist. WOOP stands for Wish, Outcome, Obstacle and Plan.

“As children across the country receive their end-of-year school report, teachers highlight lack of time to write truly personal reports The end-of-year school report, prized and feared by children and parents alike, is no longer quite what it seems.”

Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

What's your approach to reports? Do you use preset comments? Do you write each one from scratch?

“Rather than trying to be the star performer in the classroom, teachers should strive to maintain faith in their ability to help students learn.”

Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

An important article. Many teachers enjoy being the centre of the classroom, at times this is as it should be, but often they need to build the learning capacity rather than entertain. The old adage "it's not all about you" is pertinent here. If we find ourselves interrupting to relate something important to us, or joining in the banter at the expense of quiet work, we are stopping the learning. This is not what we are here for. We have all done it, I know I have, particularly early on when I was establishing myself as a teacher, but let's face it, if we need the approval of adolescents and want so desperately for them to like us, if we find ourselves getting too involved with their lives we are trying too hard to fit into their social lives rather than their academic lives. We do not need to talk like, act like or seek approval from teenagers. We need to build positive and constructive teaching relationships with them. This is why for many of us classroom teaching strategies such as Socratic Circles are hard. We find it difficult not to participate, we want to join in. This is fine, but we need to identify it and consider if we really need to interrupt for the students or for ourselves. This is something most of us will experience at some point. This article allowed me to reflect on this, and I'm sure you can see that I have definite views on it!

When asked what my first language is, I often answer, “visual.” I think in images, prefer to be taught through images, and like to express what I know through images. I find it disconcerting that as learners progress to the higher grades, there is less use of images and visuals to teach concepts.

The power of the use of vision for learning is emphasized by developmental molecular biologist, John Medina, where in his publication, Brain Rules, he states:

Vision Trumps All Other Senses

We are incredible at remembering pictures. Hear a piece of information, and three days later you’ll remember 10% of it. Add a picture and you’ll remember 65%. Professionals everywhere need to know about the incredible inefficiency of text-based information and the incredible effects of images (http://www.brainrules.net/vision).

There have been lots of research papers written on visual learning. Many learners need to see things as well as hear them and do them. Brain science aside, it seems common sense to ensure that we deliver material to learners in a variety of modes in order to help them to retain it and than connect it to prior knowledge.

With regard to learning, we forget this basic information regarding memory and visual stimuli at our peril. Our own learning and that of students deserves greater use of and focus on visual learning cues and aids, as well as an understanding of visual literacy.

“ Much has been written about the detriments of praise in recent years, particularly the kind that focuses on inherent intelligence. It was Carol Dweck who inspired me to consider the unintended consequences of over-celebrating my students’ smarts, and as this conversation continues within and beyond the field of education, everyone seems to be a bit more sensitive when it comes to reinforcing learners. Wondering how you can motivate and inspire in ways that build confidence, stamina, and perseverance? Take a few of these statements for a test drive.”
Via John Evans

“ (Wordle created by Ellen Hume-Howard) I continue to be amazed and impressed by our staff’s progress over the past five years related to our implementation of a competency-based education system. Ou...”
Via Adrian Bertolini

The Harvard Family Research Project strives to increase the effectiveness of public and private organizations and communities as they promote child development, student achievement, healthy family functioning and community development.

Check out this visual using the quote "Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude." Consider printing out a copy and putting on the wall, reminding students that with time and effort they will improve!

Motivational quotes and messages litter classroom walls across the land, but research suggests they may do more harm than good

Louise Robinson-Lay's insight:

Far more important than some amorphous message about success being in their reach, a map to show them how to get there and letting them understand that it will take work and perseverance as well as help from others, to get where they want to be. This is what motivation is.

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